A book designed to assist those disaffected and disillusioned by American Evangelicalism maintain faith in Jesus.

The author's personal story undergirds his exhortations, having been raised in a "fundamentalist" Evangelical religious environment. He explores the difficulties and challenges present in Evangelicalism, believing that it is experiencing a great reckoning as a result of its heritage in excessive nationalism, racism, misogyny, and the like. He encourages Christians to consider themselves first and foremost of the Kingdom of God, to seek to serve Jesus in all things, how to live faithfully despite having experienced hurt and pain, how to proclaim Jesus despite the difficulties, and being willing to change with integrity.

Many of the exhortations will resonate today. Yet it should be noted how the author has landed squarely on the side of culture on almost every major hot-button societal issue of the day, and baptizes all of it. Yes, there is a toxic legacy in a lot of Evangelicalism on many issues...but not all issues. Yes, many of the issues could have been handled in a more loving and Christlike way.

These kinds of critiques are necessary, but those who offer them must also show relevant concern about being too compromised / accommodative to culture, especially as it relates to sexual ethics.

Could it be that Christ is missing from much of what passes for Christianity today? Have many who say they are Christians abandoned the very virtues of Jesus they claim to follow? (Loc 78/2174)

With penetrating insights like these, Mattson takes a look at what Christianity has become in the United States.

I like how he distinguishes Christendom and Christ followers. Christendom, especially as seen in the United States, depends on carnal power. That is not the case with a true follower of Christ. The gospel that Christendom promotes is one of comfort and does not address the realities of what is happening in the world. True followers of Christ seek to love and help the poor and needy and even their enemies.

Mattson presents some concepts that may not be welcome among white evangelicals. With respect to the government, for example, he asks where our true allegiance should lie. Christians who see political power as a means of furthering their faith may be sacrificing the Kingdom of God for the kingdom of mortals. He writes about war and guns and questions how evangelicals can promote those concepts, abandoning Jesus' example of nonviolence. He writes of the current president and wonders how evangelicals can ignore his sinful behavior for the sake of political power.

And that's just a little bit of how Mattson challenges American Christians. Some will hate this book. Others will be challenged by it and look again at their faith and actions in the light of the example of Jesus.

This is a good book for followers of Jesus who have become disillusioned with what Christianity has become in the United States. You may not agree with everything he says. I didn't. But you will be encouraged to know you are not crazy to think Christendom in the U.S. has gone off from truly following the example of Christ.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

The author should go back to reading the Bible, since the Jesus he describes is distorted to the Jesus that is revealed in Scripture. I cant help but wonder what he would react when reading "go and do not sin anymore", said by Jesus to those he helps.

The author also self-contradicts, attacking strawman arguments of opposing views, such as the arguments he devises on behalf of his opponents in regards to pacifism, pessimism, etc.

Claiming that passages that talk about homosexuality arent clear, or ignoring the fact that sexual sin is a bigger deal than other sins in scripture is just childish.

The author doesnt submit to the authority of scripture but has Theologically Liberal values at the core of the lenses through which he sees scripture and the world. This is most evident when looking at the teachers he quotes, such as Vines and Boyd.

The author also makes some good points here and there, that should not be denied. It is very true that congregations in america have convoluted Christianity into patriotism, etc, but at the same time, the author's arguments are week and not scriptural but rather based on things that other people said in some books.

The author's understanding of what love actually is obfuscates the love displayed in scripture, which is sprinkled with discipline and living within the bounds of God's order.

Disappointed, weak argumentation, unmoving, unappealing, contra-biblical at times.

Thanks to Herald Press for this ARC. Totally engaging, potentially revolutionary work. Mattson gets to the bare bones of the Gospel calling Christfollowers to break ties with a misdirected Christendom and return their allegiance to the One who holds all things together—Jesus. The author does not shy away from controversy, naming names and radically calling for change in the church. Rightfully, he advocates for an end to the unholy marriage of Christendom and politics, which too often manifests itself in the US as white, male and American to the detriment of other races, women, and other nationalities. This book will resonate with masses of disenchanted believers just as it will, I hope, challenge and discomfort those of us who have become apathetic in our faith and accustomed to perceived spiritual superiority. All I can say is amen, amen and amen.